Dirty War

No war is clean. There is no holy war. And most definitely no war in which one side is right and the other wrong, even if the war against terror.

World political landscape changed since 2001, first. Suicide attack the WTC collapse two make so many people shocked and condemn the Taliban / Al-Qaeda / terrorists who are behind this incident. Immediately rule America with George W. Bush declared war in the new millennium: the war against terror. The attack was carried out in Afghanistan, devastated porandakan states in their efforts to find, capture, and judge Osama Bin Laden. Not stopping there, the Americans pursue the war in Iraq and overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in the state. Strangely though Bin Laden was dihabisi in 2011 and the war against terror has also stopped growing and even all over the world.

What really happened?

Jeremy Scahill, an investigative journalist, is a dozen years covering American war since the last decade. They want to know what makes this crisis of the war against terror is not also endless. For guys who want to know what investigative journalists, they are not just journalists who report the news but also the pursuit of sources and dig the facts, including the facts of corruption that sometimes want to be buried with it. Scahill first find strange when viewing the details of the attack the night (night raid) is so ambiguous. From there he discovered the startling fact (scary?) That soldiers, American soldiers often raid villages to arrest people they suspect are involved with the Taliban / Al-Qaeda / terrorist groups. Sometimes without evident whether it connected or not, the people of Afghanistan that unfortunate dihabisi.

These findings make Scahill trying to dig deeper and find more facts tease conscience. That the American attack not just limited to the two countries of Afghanistan and Iraq alone but also extends into the range of countries that do not actually involved in the war in the beginning, such as Yemen and Somalia. This can be seen from both sides. On one hand, America would stop acts of terrorism before they happen (kill people who are potential terrorists) but the other side would not that make America a country so pretentious set policy? And one more thing: the hatred of many people in America who acts arbitrarily without willfully what Americans have created their own enemy?

Richard Rowley created this movie with Jeremy Scahill base composition book titled the same. Unique as the author of this book Jeremy Scahill also plunge into the narrator in this story. Salute to the courage of the crews in this movie because of what they do is something that is very dangerous. Scahill is not afraid to plunge filming in dangerous places where when there are errors, they can die. This threat is not just coming from a foreign land when they visit the site or follow the war with the African warlord, but also from the land of America. Obviously Rowley and Scahill were digging wrack unwanted by the government to repeatedly Scahill get threats from the mysterious.

Speaking of this movie done very well so I do not like to watch a documentary film but really are watching a thriller movie where the fate sang espionase indistinct figure will be safe or not (spoiler: Scahill certainly not dead!). Gray palette used by Rowley in the frame of this movie also passes mengamplifikasi dejected mood of this film. One of the most poignant irony worn by Scahill in explaining how dangerous strategy when America continues is a figure Anwar al-Awlaki. Figure Imam America is a controversial figure because of the early occurrence of the tragedy of 9/11 it is still a state of peace between Muslims and Americans. But with the rigors of the American action on behalf of Islam, al-Awlaki became resentful and finally become increasingly vocal against the Americans, something that could lead to the inclusion of its name in the list of terrorist fugitive Uncle Sam.

So my verdict is ... I really hope that the movie Dirty Wars is watched by more people. This documentary film is a film that could open the eyes of the tragedy behind Terroryang didengungkan War on America since more than a decade ago. Is America now precisely the terror that they want to fight first? Or terror would never end because while fighting a two anteknya America inadvertently sow the seeds for a new terror stooge?

Score: A-

Note: Confidential trusted movies like this and The Act of Killing failed to win Best Documentary from the Academy Awards last year's accomplishments. 20 Feet from themes like Stardom very clean and attains security which makes it the winner.

Dawn of ThenPlanets of Apes

When Tim Burton gush reboot movie Planet of the Apes in 2001 and people thought that this franchise is up. It is true that the film was a success at the box office but critics responses were lukewarm and fans who do not like to make 20th Century Fox decided not to continue this franchise. Exactly 10 years later reboot once again made ​​by 20th Century Fox at the time had a much more advanced technology. Attend Rise of the Planet of the Apes by Rupert Wyatt's new director received and well liked by critics and by the audience. 20th Century Fox also realized that this film has the potential to be a franchise and a sequel was committed by them.

The journey is not easy to work on the sequel. First of all director Rupert Wyatt's film is no longer gush replaced by Matt Reeves. The second actor James Franco and Freida Pinto was no longer belong to this project was replaced by a trio of Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, and Keri Russell. Three years after the first film, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was released with the praises from critics who claim that this is a sequel that is not less slick (some claim it even better) than prekuelnya. So as if the quality of the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes?

The film opens with a continuation of the ending of the first film in which the simian virus Flu (ALZ-113) endemic throughout the world, killing the majority of people were there. Ten years passed from the first film and almost no human presence in the world. Instead Caesar along with the monkeys that he release of the first film is now live and evolve on the outskirts of San Francisco's urban forest. They form a separate community and live peacefully passed their days. In this place as a leader in power Caesar and he must divide his time leading the ape and educate the teenagers: Blue Eyes.

However, the peaceful days of the apes coming to an end when a group of people to come through their territory. It turns out that although the majority of people are already clear eradicated by Simian virus flu, there are some groups of people who survive due to be immune to them. This group of people living in the remains of the city of San Francisco and debris through the territory of the apes with one goal: turn on the generator to provide enough energy man on with their lives. Human desire is met with two reactions there. On the one hand, Caesar wants to let them do their activity, then let man and ape resume each other's lives. On the other hand Koba is first treated by a vile man still hold grudges and do not want humans through there. This conflict makes the apes split ...

The first thing I noticed in this film is how good the motion capture technology of WETA. Many years this technology has been used in many films and he is in the spotlight once again in this film. In the first 10 minutes of this movie does not even have a human actor in it, as if to show how brilliant the technology of WETA now. Of course I must not forget to mention how good the performance of Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell in this movie. Both performed miserably in their role as Caesar and Koba and this ties into the lives of monkeys for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Given these two monkeys do not rely on how much talking and a brief grunt and body language, gestures from Serkis and Kebbell very realistic style monkey made ​​me very impressed. It is sad that the jury had not yet realized the Academy Awards that Serkis's performance is very decent rewarded with an Oscar nomination.

Often times in the film that is dominant with other species where human characters became penganggu. Remember the Godzilla character Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ken Watanabe just so penganggu alone? Dawn of the Planet of the Apes managed to avoid a similar fate, though not very successful. Among the three main actors in this movie: Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, and Keri Russell, only Clarke who has more time to perform so successfully built relationships with Caesar; be a substitute for the character of James Franco in the first film. Keri Russell unfortunately here as Freida Pinto be the only sweetener and just a love interest for the main protagonist. Sadder still is the Gary Oldman character here as marginalized with very little time to appear. It is unfortunate because Oldman actually had the capacity and charisma to become the face for the men in this film: the equivalent of Caesar. This is what makes me feel that the film is sometimes too hasty in storytelling and in resolution despite a duration of more than 2 hours.

However, apart from a few minor flaws that I do not have any other complaints against this movie. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (and prekuelnya) is proof that summer movies do not have to just be a spectacle with utter mere brains. In the summer it feels new movie Edge of Tomorrow and the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes are challenging the audience to think while watching it also invites the audience to think about the social implications brood raised by the film. The dispute between humans and apes, for example is an analogy of a dispute the two nations that are difficult to accept each other and real examples in the real world is too much for me to mention. Could it be because the music is composed by Michael Giacchino (Lost, Up, Star Trek) also reflect that in each of the music track?

So my verdict is ... Dawn of the Planet of the Apes continued foundation built by prekuelnya, bring it to a different place (but not loss of identity), then back to give tease a potential audience will be the third film. If the third film has a quality as good as first two films then I will not hesitate to declare it as a trilogy reboot one of the best trilogy of all time. Hopefully!

Rio 2

Studio Blue Sky have a big problem: they do not have animation in addition to the Ice Age franchise. When compared with the two biggest contenders: Pixar and Dreamworks, Blue Sky certainly can not compete in a number of their franchise. Dreamworks had at least three franchises: Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Shrek (and this year will grow again denganHow to Train Your Dragon) while Pixar began to squirm and preparing a sequel to all the hits after hits-connection stories from Monsters Inc., Cars , and Toy Story reaping huge success at the box office.

For Blue Sky biggest problem they are looking animated film that can become a franchise. Let's look at a row of existing movies from this studio outside the Ice Age and Rio: Robots, Epic, and Horton Hears a Who. Robots and Animated Epic is less demand which no one interested in seeing the sequel. On the other side of Horton Hears a Who is a stand-alone animation of Dr. Seuss, not allowing also to be made animations. From the business perspective of course, the choice fell to Rio, their animations are released in the year 2011 and quite a big success at the box office.

Once again sits as a director Carlos Saldanha and restore the voice talents of the first film: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, everything is back again in this movie. They digabungi with new voice cast is a mix of artists and singers, call Andy Garcia, Kristin Chenoweth, and of course Bruno Mars. With a row of all star names as filler sound, can Rio 2 reap the same success as its predecessor?

This film takes place several years after the first film ended. Now, Blu and Jewel live happily together with their three children near the home of Linda and Tulio. When Linda and Tulio make nature expedition to the Amazon jungle they found evidence that the blue bird species (Spix's macaw) have not been fully extinct and living in hiding in the forest. Blu, Jewel, their three children, and his friends set out for an excursion to the Amazon and found out that they did not own. More surprising was the father was still alive Jewel in Spix's macaw giant community in the Amazon jungle.

While Jewel and children can instantly adapt to life in the forest, Blu is more difficult because since childhood he was raised by Linda and live like human beings. Blu growing distress when realizing Eduardo as Jewel's father is not too happy with it. In the middle is actually a problem of the whole community Blu blue bird there was in jeopardy because illegal timber cutting occurring in the Amazon jungle. Is Blu can save his people?

Strongest points in the animated movie Rio 2 is still colorful. Saldanha, the director, a native of Brazil is cleverly realized that the exotic birds is certainly rich in color and will make kids excited to watch it. Tribal mix samba music and stomping was used to make Rio a favorite. Who forgot the song Real in Rio that seemed to encourage us to dance to participate in festive carnival? Rio 2 still have this element although slightly lowered since the setting is actually no longer in Rio but Amazon. After all the songs of this film still breathe a mixture of pop, tribal, and samba. If you liked the first film music you will like the songs in Rio 2.

For the plot of the story itself I feel Rio 2 is too busy with the various sub-plots that the story as lacking a clear focus. I admire Carlos Saldanha is still trying to enter the old characters in the film (including Nigel) while introducing new characters in it. However, the results can sometimes be the movie Rio 2 were too busy jumping from one scene to the next with the story of each and every character that exists. In one scene we see how Nigel would pursue Blu, then jump to Blu struggling to adapt to his new life, then jump again to the problem of illegal forest cutting, and so on.

The Other Winner

Apparently Captain America overpowered by a group of women. After three weeks enthroned atop the box office, some observers predict that Captain America is still able to continue its previous peak in the sphere of human sang spider swung into theater next month. Unfortunately, not until the next Spidey The Other Woman was first ejecting the captain of the top box office. The opening weekend is approaching 25 million USD, this is a success for the movie stars Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Kate Upton. Income this movie is probably still continue to grow in the coming weeks is not a lot considering the summer offer options for women.

In the second stage does not mean Captain America suffered heavy losses. With the decline pretty minimal, the total of the sequel to Captain America now reaches 225 mln USD. This total is greater than all the movie MCU (Marvel Universe Cinemated) outside the Iron Man trilogy. Captain America abroad can also clap the chest because his income will soon pass the 700 Million USD (aided by revenue in China who pass 100 Million USD over the town). Total size is not only bigger than Thor 2: The Dark World and the first two Iron Man films, but also the Man of Steel from DC. Yes, Captain America is the superhero formerly class B of the iconic Marvel superhero will pass only DC top ranking. Quick public no longer just concerned with the announcement of the Justice League movie.

Two new films appearing this week but not as successfully. Brick Mansions is a remake of a French 13 Banlieu still starring David Belle as one of its main stars. On the other side of the main stars of the most interesting note here of course Paul Walker, who died tragically last year. Brick Mansions and Hours (not shown in the theater) is the last two films in the resume sang actor Paul Walker before filming Fast & Furious 7 and killed while filming before the end. I was sad to realize that soon we'll never have the opportunity to watch the actor on the big screen. The Quiet Ones movie really appropriate title because no one was watching it in the theater. It's really quiet at the box office can only get 4 mln USD for opening weekendnya. It will not last long after summer tergencet films which will soon appear rob quota mast.

Transcendence experience a really great town. Total outstanding reached 20 million USD is a blow for Johnny Depp and I'm sure will make many investors wondering if the salary of 20 Million USD for the actor is still fast on this one. If I were I would immediately dismiss Depp agenku as its melibatkanku in dilapidated projects.

Outside the top 10 there are two movies that I want reportasekan development. First: Frozen. I promise this will be the last report for this film because this is the last milestone skipped this movie. Frozen finally reached the figure of 400 mln USD for playback in America. Second: The Raid 2 - hooligan. Unfortunately for the sequel to the action film from Indonesia. Boro-boro exceed income from prekuelnya, it even can not reach the income from prekuelnya!

Getaway

The film with the theme of the car is currently a trend after the franchise Fast & Furioussukses big at the box office. Of course that means that Hollywood wants to try to raise funds by issuing films were similar but not identical. In the year 2014 there was a film adaptation of the best-selling game Need for Speed ​​while this year the director Courtney Solomon wants to try his luck with the support of three stars across generations: Jon Voight, Ethan Hawke, and Selena Gomez. Instead able to capture the market of the three categories of the age of this film fails miserably. Is it because it is not a good movie or because he unfairly compared with serial Fast & Furious?

There is a reckless driver destroyed the city here and there like crazy. Many people dying after this crazy driver crosses paths with super high speed to destroy anything nearby. The policemen chased the mad skills but is too powerful for them to emulate. Police cars collide with each other and summersault destroyed. Who's really the crazy car? His name is Brent Magna and he does not do all these things because he liked the challenge of adrenaline. Brent did this because he was forced by a mysterious wife hostage. This mysterious man threatening if Brent does not do what he asked then his wife will be killed. Brent inevitably forced to obey the orders of all kinds - including when he was told to do stunt-crazy stunt earlier.

State of Brent becomes more complex when the car he was riding was almost robbed by a little girl. The robbery failed and the girl became an additional passenger in the car Brent. In the center of the monitor camera in the car both have to think hard how to escape from a mysterious man demand and to save Brent's wife being held hostage.

If I have to type and make a list of plot holes in this film then it might be longer than the movie itself so I will summarized in one sentence: the whole movie is full of plot holes. Every two or three minutes once I moaned while watching the sight of a plot hole in the film. I know films like this do not have to think about the plot but the scenario written by the duo Gregg Maxwell Parker and Sean Finegan instead of trying to make every plot hole so it makes sense but it makes the plot holes so gaping. This scenario does not deserve it feels like for a movie coming to the big screen and more appropriate for the B movie plot is a straight-to-video.

For the acting of Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, and Jon Voight were three can not do much with a bad script given to them. Nearly 80% of the film contains scenes that reflect on the fate of Ethan Hawke shouting or expression of panic, Selena Gomez menghabisan time to cry out of fear and covered his face with a bonus yelling "Noooo! Noooo! Do not do it !!! ", while Jon Voight? Although only his voice that emerged he appeared as annoying sound that makes the audience mood getting damaged while watching the movie.

The only thing that still help me, not to fall asleep while watching this movie is a car chase scene contest conducted by a different approach by Courtney Solomon. Cinematography takes many different angle-the angle of the car, outside the car, and around the car; something that explained the plot in passing. Seeing pursuit in this way is quite unique and I am so looking forward angle shot like that will be taken by the director in the next scene. If only supported with a stronger script may Getaway will be a spectacle more original and fun. One more plus for the director is the courage to destroy the cars (although the old car) in stuntnya so those fans of action movies antiquity must be satisfied by it.

So my verdict is ... beyond that something else can be discussed and reviewed by the duration of the film is less than 90 minutes. In an attempt to make a film of high bertensi throughout the duration of broadcast, Courtney Solomon brings spectacle it has never been clear from the beginning to the end, a bad script and a plot full of holes, and only saved by a unique way of shooting and different films kejar- chase the other cars. If longer than 90 minutes might actually my getaway from the cinema!

A Simple Life

A Simple Life is A Simple Movie. A life that is so simple and does not need to be complicated with all things unnecessary complicated. Do not sweat the small things ... maybe like it.

The film, directed by female director Ann Hui raised helper relationship - between the employer and Roger Leung Chun To, a maid who has served in the household of Roger for four generations hereditary. Inspired by the true story of the film is beautiful to describe the relationship between Roger and Chun To. Roger is a film producer who was busy here and there. However, although he frequently toured to China and he always has a home in Hong Kong where his loyal maid Chun To wait. To Chun seemed to have more than a maid. Because childhood caring Roger indirectly no affection to Roger as his own son. On the other hand so does Roger have a closer relationship with Chun To rather than his mother and other family members who have moved to the United States.

The relationship is simple and naturally awakened everyday was suddenly changed after Chun To, because of his advanced age, disease attack and had to be taken to the hospital. Because Chun To not have relatives (she was not married and had no children) while Roger everyday travel frequently because of the demands of the job To Chun was put in a nursing home. Roger, on the sidelines of busy, regularly visited Chun To place while the maid started to adapt to her new life there. Routines are changed. The simple life is still there.

I really like this drama. I feel very touched by the relationship of Roger and Chun To, so its natural flow. No, in this movie there is a scene that is not excessively dramatized in all its simplicity but rather that the film is able to charm me. Take for example the scene where when Roger and Chun To are tidying the room and found the photo while taking care of Roger Young Chun To small ... the scene was so simple but at the same time able to make me moved. Directed by Ann Hui is also so good at taking scenes with the proper perspective and strengthen the unity of Roger Chun To. Hui even brilliantly utilizes silence and residence on the screen as a meditative experience for the audience

Regardless of the relationship both Roger and Chun To be perfectly played by Andy Lau and Deanie Ip (no wonder both are rewarded with the best actor award artist of the year) the film also slipped a message about how sometimes people like to mess around with things that are trivial in life and teaches how peaceful life can be that sometimes we just focus on the important issues. Some people may judge drama A Simple Life as crisp because the pacing is slow and practically no conflict in it but to me it Hui nicely illustrates the simplicity of life in the city of Hong Kong is pacingnya so hurried a little while flicking behavior of some of its inhabitants are sometimes so indifferent to others and oriented materialism.

So my verdict is ... if you like the Hong Kong movie-quality drama that is not filled with commercialism message or war with a massive budget (but it sometimes utter) then watch the A Simple Life. It's one of the Hong Kong film - even Asian - I watch this decade.

Stoker

Birthdays India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) is the 18th into something bitter when his father, Richard (Dermot Mulroney) was killed in an accident. India was forced to live alone with his mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) are unstable - until then came uncle who has never known before, Charlie (Matthew Goode) is mysterious.

review:

Stoker not only be writing debut for Wentworth Miller formerly known as actor Michael Scofield on Prison Break, but also the directorial debut movie in english first for Park Chan-wook (2003) were previously known for his film Old Boy. I myself have never watched movies Park Chan-wook, so forced Stoker can not compare with the previous films. And FYI, this film also be the last film for producers Tony Scott, who died of suicide in 2012.

(They say) the script is done by Wentworth Miller is not too strong, you may have guessed the mystery of what is actually stored by the Indian and his uncle Charlie. But herein lies the genius of a Park Chan-wook's Stoker capable of delivering into a thriller with a unique taste and a different: creepy, mysterious and (slightly) absurd - so that we can forget for a moment that there are flaws in the script. Stoker groove moves gently. Park Chan-wook clearly gives a mysterious atmosphere that we usually encounter in horror films Japanese and Korean: running so slowly - with a touch of dark and gloomy. Will seem boring and make sleepy indeed, especially for you who love horror movies full of fast-moving scenes and fisticuffs, explosions and blood splatters. But this is what makes Stoker able mengendapkanmu the mystery that is so powerful and mysterious - and I think that's the main point of a thriller movie! And when you are able to resist the temptation to guess how the film will unravel the mystery, you might be a little stunned with a twist that is stored neatly in the end. (Like me! I actually quite liked the story, although it seems most people feel the film is too standard).

Chan-wook, and Chung Chung-hoon as cinematographer presents a visually beautiful, poetic and melancholic - Mia Wasikowska semelankolis face. Angle-angle taken very unique and asymmetrical - supported by the Victorian property and Indian costumes are vintage. Coupled with the clink-clink really haunting piano, Stoker membiusmu success in fragments of epic. There will be awkwardness-awkwardness that feels weird, but that is what makes this movie so good! Awkwardness-awkwardness (or anomalies is not clear) it is a fantasy depiction of India Stoker, a beautiful girl, smart, - but freak, who has always felt that he was different from most people. It involves fantasy and sensuality that strange way of thinking which is not easily understood - that is delivered with so pretty. There will be a scene that seemed to jump with chaotic, but Chan-wook actually like composers who are able to produce irregular orkerstra fleeting but beautiful apparently listened.

Nicole Kidman clearly provide performance that did not disappoint in an unstable mother plays the character, although I do not think Evelyn characterization too explored too far. Similarly, Matthew Goode is capable of displaying a charming but mysterious figures. His smile made ​​it clear this heart melt, but if you see it in the dark, alone anyway, I also will likely run headlong (that means he did a great job, right?). But Stoker stage clearly belongs to Mia Wasikowska. India Stoker character is a character that apparently was created especially for him. With a sad face and still-look-like-a-teenager, Mia Wasikowska played very well in India displays a quirky character. He was able to display the character of India as being quiet, with a poker-face, and mysterious all at once fragile at the same time.

Overview:

Stoker is a drama-thriller that is riveting in her visual aesthetic with a cold and eerie aura. Chan-wook has obviously been quite bold in a touch of Asian atmosphere for western horror movie. Perhaps not everyone will enjoy the movie plot moves slowly - but that's what makes the atmosphere so mysterious Stoker. Mia Wasikowska has also provided one of the best performance by Stoker. Although the text may not be quite perfect (they say), but I still enjoy Stoker as a whole dish entertaining (read: stressful!).